Migrants told ‘learn English or lose money’

In a move ministers say will better prepare jobless claimants for the world of work, a Universal Credit will be delivered monthly, replacing the present fortnightly payments.

The change is part of a raft of extra detail about the implementation of a major shake-up of the system being unveiled as the House of Lords starts to examine the legislation.

And it is likely to further inflame opposition to the cost-cutting crackdown planned by the coalition to slash £5.5bn from the welfare bill in real terms over four years.

The legislation’s centrepiece is the creation of a new universal credit to replace a complex range of existing payments such as child tax credit, housing benefit and income support.

It also imposes tougher sanctions on people who refuse work and replaces the disability living allowance with a new personal independence payment.

Parts of the package have sparked serious opposition from disability groups, childcare campaigners and anti-poverty experts who claim many vulnerable people will be among the worst hit.

Meanwhile Prime Minister David Cameron last night said that jobseekers whose poor English is stopping them getting work will be forced to attend free language training or have their benefits cut.

Under new rules, Jobcentre Plus advisers can mandate people onto training courses if they believe they lack the correct skills to get the jobs on offer in the local labour market. Benefits claimants with poor English skills, which are preventing them from getting into employment, will be referred onto specialist free English language training courses.

If claimants refuse to attend classes, they could have their benefits stopped.

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